Life Compartmentalization: Be Where You Need to Be

One of my favorite sport psychologists, Ken Ravizza, worked with some of the top college athletic programs and professional teams, including the Chicago Cubs during their historic 2016 World Series run. He was a master at helping athletes build the right mindsets to perform under pressure.

One of his most powerful quotes is:“Be where you need to be, when you need to be there.”

This simple but profound statement embodies the mental skill of Life Compartmentalization—the ability to fully engage in the present moment without allowing distractions from other areas of life to interfere.

The Challenge of Balancing It All

Athletes juggle multiple aspects of their lives—sports, school, social life, and family responsibilities. It’s easy to let one area spill over into another.

Imagine a soccer player who walks into practice stressed about an upcoming test. Their body is on the field, but their mind is stuck in the classroom. Will they have a productive practice? Probably not.

Now, flip the scenario. That same player is sitting in class, but instead of paying attention to the lecture, they’re replaying last night’s game in their mind. Will they retain much of the lesson? Again, the answer is likely no.

The Power of Compartmentalization

This is where we apply key focus skills:

1. Control What You Can Control – You can’t take the test while you’re at practice, and you can’t fix yesterday’s game while you’re in class. Shift your attention to what’s in front of you.

2. Stay Present – If you’re at practice, be at practice. If you’re in class, be in class. If you’re at home or out with friends, be fully engaged there.

By training your mind to compartmentalize and fully commit to each area of your life, you eliminate interference and unlock your best performance—both on and off the field.

Practical Applications: For Players, Parents, and Coaches

For Players:

• What to Do: Before transitioning to a new part of your day, take a deep breath and remind yourself: “Be where I need to be, when I need to be there.” Give full attention to the task at hand.

• What to Avoid: Don’t let one part of your life hijack another. Avoid thinking about school during games or worrying about social life during practice.

For Parents:

• What to Do: Support your athlete in setting clear boundaries for school, sports, and social time. Encourage them to focus on one thing at a time rather than multitasking.

• What to Avoid: Avoid pressuring your athlete by bringing up school stress at the dinner table before a big game or rehashing game mistakes when they’re trying to focus on homework.

For Coaches:

• What to Do: Reinforce single-task focus in practice. Encourage athletes to mentally transition by saying things like, “Right now, we are 100% locked into practice. Everything else can wait.”

• What to Avoid: Don’t overload players with life stress. Avoid comments like “You better not be thinking about that test tomorrow”—this ironically makes them focus on it more.

Maximize Focus, Maximize Performance

By compartmentalizing your life, you free your mind from unnecessary distractions and maximize your focus in each moment. Whether it’s practice, class, or time with family, being fully present will improve your performance in all areas of life.

This is how you build mental strength.